Macron promises Zelensky that Russia will be brought to justice for the ‘massacre’ of POWs – POLITICO

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call on Monday that France would support criminal investigations into last week’s bombing of a prison holding Ukrainian prisoners of war.

“A few days after a new massacre perpetrated by the Russian armed forces in Olenivka, and while war crimes are multiplying, [Macron] reaffirmed its support for the Ukrainian people and their resistance, and expressed its determination to ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished,” said an Elysée official briefed on the appeal.

More than 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war died Friday in the bombing of Olenivka, a town located in territory controlled by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014, according to authorities in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Last week, Western officials, including European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, the French foreign ministry and the UK’s ambassador to Ukraine, called for an international investigation into the bombing. .

During Monday’s 90-minute call – the 35th between the two leaders since December, according to the Elysee Palace – Macron also confirmed France’s continued support for Ukraine’s military and « short-term macroeconomic » support for Ukraine.

The French president also welcomed the departure on Monday of the first ship carrying cereals out of Ukraine.